The continued growth of rich Internet applications, including video, has made Internet bandwidth a major contributor to business productivity; and ensuring that network bandwidth resources are used efficiently is more important now than ever before.

Indeed, an organization that does not currently monitor and regulate employee Internet usage will find its business in a compromised position, where performance, efficiency, and information operation levels suffer.

Speed and bandwidth shouldn’t be confused when it comes to enterprise Internet. Connection speed to the Internet is broken into downloading and uploading time. The faster the connection, the quicker data can be transmitted up- and down-stream. Bandwidth is the size of the connection, which allows for consistent speed rates when multiple users are simultaneously accessing the Web through the same link.

If bandwidth is low and speed rates are high, resource drains can be a factor in overall performance. The key to managing enterprise Internet connections is to monitor their use compared to overall speed and bandwidth performance -- and to make sure that employees are aware of what is acceptable and unacceptable online use.

The most damaging element to speed and bandwidth is streaming video. Nothing stresses a corporate network more. Video requires hundreds of times more bandwidth than email or simply navigating Web pages. Unfettered use of streaming video can cause significant network issues, from slow access to networkwide failure.

Other rich-media applications like Web conferencing and even Webinars can have serious negative effects on a company’s network connectivity. Add voice-over-IP applications to the mix, and you may have an even greater bundle of productivity problems.

To prevent network connectivity and performance issues, a company should clearly outline Internet usage standards. Policies should be enacted that permit online use for business-related activities while discouraging employees from indulging in non-work-related online diversions that drain resources.

Communication is vital among departments, staff, and especially the IT group that should be monitoring online activity levels and spikes in online use. Employees must recognize that their activities online are always affecting the overall integrity of the network connection, and that can seriously affect others within the organization.

It’s also important to have a connection audit performed. By testing and monitoring the performance of your bandwidth, you can get a sense if you are under- or over-utilizing your connection. In many cases, companies have the wrong access package for their user population. Although business DSL and cable packages may look attractive in price, they are not always a strong solution if you need more bandwidth rather than additional speed.

On a side note, if speed is an issue, you may not want to go wireless, as that will cause some degree of latency compared to a wired network.

Many companies make the mistake of purveying the same type of constant Internet connection throughout the organization, even to employees who do not require it. Connecting an employee who simply needs email to full Web access is not always necessary and ultimately will drain limited connectivity resources.

The key is to find a balance between use and quality control, while allowing certain online freedoms, especially if accessing the Internet is a positive activity that ultimately contributes to overall business objectives.

But if employees go overboard with personal online use, especially by tapping into rich media applications, there is no question that those who are trying to optimize their own job performance will be affected. Keep watch on your organization’s connection and online use, and hopefully your enterprise network will click a little faster.